Native Ground 1937 WPA Federal Theatre Poster

Designed by Emanuel DeColas for the WPA's Federal Theatre Project, this striking silkscreen poster promoted the 1937 Broadway run of "Native Ground," a play by Virgil Geddes, at the Maxine Elliott Theatre on 39th Street. Its bold, graphic composition — a plow cutting across sweeping farmland under a golden sky — is a standout piece of Depression-era American theater design, produced as part of a federal program that employed thousands of out-of-work artists during the 1930s.

It's a genuinely rare category within the WPA poster world: rather than a public health or travel campaign, this piece documents real Broadway theater history — the actual play, playwright, and venue are all named directly on the poster.

Restored from the Library of Congress archival scan, preserving the original mustard, teal, and black palette.

Product features

- Giclée printing for bright, fade-resistant colors

- Three paper options: Fine Art (textured archival), Matte (lightweight, low-sheen), Semi-Glossy (satin photo finish)

- Multiple sizes and horizontal or vertical orientations available

- Paper weights: Fine Art 285 g/m²; Semi-Glossy & Matte options ranging ~180–260 g/m²

- Shipped rolled for protection; sourced from USA (JONDO) and Japan (Printify Choice) — adult product

Care instructions

- If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.